Sport

New mother Naomi Osaka won the first match of her comeback by beating Tamara Korpatsch in straight sets at the Brisbane International. The Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion, playing in her first tournament in 15 months, defeated the unseeded German 6-3 7-6 (11-9). She will be facing Karolina Pliskova next. "I'm very proud of myself," said Osaka, 26. "I feel like I played at a pretty good level. I think my opponent played really well as well." "The last couple of years that I played before I had my daughter, I didn't return as much love as I was given," Osaka said on court after the match.

Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in the Men’s US Open Finals on Sunday to extend his grand slam singles titles to 24 and also win the $3 million prize money. The world No. 2 emerged for a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory at the Flushing Meadows over his opponent, Medvedev. The 36 year old from Serbia dominated the first set, never facing a break point, however, the second set which lasted for an hour and 45 minutes was more competitive as Djokovic and Medvedev exchanged games which kept a record-breaking 799,402 audience at the edge of their seats.

Djokovic has made it through to the 2023 Grand Slam US Open semi-final for the 13th time, breaking the record of the legendary Roger Federer, also aims at adding to the number of his titles, which he has three already. Djokovic is seeking the fourth title in the ongoing 2023 US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Aryna Sabalenka has won her first Grand Slam title after coming back a set down to beat Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday. The 24-year-old Belarusian who was competing under a neutral flag due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, after the tournament organizer required Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals, appeared and won her first major final.

Ongoing Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team has continued to lash their opponents at the ICC U-19 World Cup African Division Two qualifiers in Abuja. The Nigerian team has defeated Rwanda during the opening match on Friday as well as Botswana yesterday, winning both games by 10 wickets. At Cricket pitch B of the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja, the clash saw Nigeria win the toss and elect to bowl.
Elochukwu Ndububem and Captain Ridwan Kareem thrashed the Botswana contingent, jointly making out six wickets in 11 overs.

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week’s Laver Cup, he said on Thursday. “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event,” he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.